BLENDING OF BUTTER

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 16

BLENDING OF BUTTER

AUCKLAND. August 18. “ The good name of New Zealand butter is suffering considerably through the action of the English buyers in blending it with inferior brands,” said Mr F. Lysnar, who returned by the Ulimaroa this morning after spending two years in London.

Speaking of blending of Dominion butter with inferior brands Mr Lysnar said it tvas common knowledge in official circles, although the buyer in the shops did not know that he was not getting the genuine article. He had mentioned the matter at the High Commissioner’s office, but had been informed that nothing could be done. He had tried to gain admission to one of the blending factories but had been unable to do so. There were blending factories everywhere and it was known that first grade butter from other countries was also blended with inferior brands.

Mr Lysnar was not surprised that New Zealand butter was not popular in some quarters, as the blended butter which was sold as a Dominion product was very poor indeed. Evidence of the blending of New Zealand butter was provided by the fact that butter which was bought wholesale at Is 4d and Is 5d per lb was sold in the shops at Is and Is 2d. Blending was very unfair to the New Zealand producer, but at the present time there was no law to prevent it.

“ I met one man who told me that he could not eat New Zealand butter,” said Mr Lysnar. “ I him along to the High Commissioner’s office and bought him some of the genuine article and he admitted that it was very fine. T tasted some of the blended variety and it was horrible stuff.”

Mr Lysnar, who went to London as the representative of an Australian and New Zealand syndicate to form a company to work a lead mine in Queensland, expects to remain in Auckland for some time.